Urea-formaldehyde resin



in U. S. 2,019,865.

Patented Aug. 10, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE UREA-FORMALDEHYDE RESIN Pliny 0. Tawney, Chicago, Ill., assignor to The Sherwin-Williams Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio No Drawing. Application June 21, 1941, Serial No. 399,207

14 Claims.

tiu'lng time is long, inasmuch as the reaction time leading to the intermediate condensationproduct'is generally at least twelve hours.

In am further aware of another general process for preparing urea-formaldehyde resins suitable for coating compositions, in which urea and compositions, yet which process is cheaper and easier to operate than those hitherto known.

It is an object of the invention to produce a urea-formaldehyde resin suitable for coating compositions which is more highly compatible with alkyd resins than urea-formaldehyde resins hitherto known.

It is a further object of the invention to develop a process for manufacturing a urea-formaldehyde resin, in which the reactants, urea, formaldehyde, and an alcohol are directly converted into a resin suitable for coating purposes in a method involving a continuity of operations without the isolation of any intermediate condensation product and in one unit of equipment.

I have invented a method for producing a reaction between urea and formaldehyde initially present both as commercial aqueous formalin (40% by volume) and as paraformaldehyde in the presence of a non-aqueous solvent component, such as an alcohol, and in an alkaline medium. Moreover, I have found that after a certain period of reaction time, an alcohol which may in some cases be the same as said solvent component, preferably one that is only partially miscible with water and whose boiling point is over 100 C., may be present and further polymerization carmade in this manner in an entirely aqueous me aqueous formalin are initially reacted in'aqueous alkaline media until a water-soluble product is obtained. Further condensation in the presence of acidic catalyst converts the water-soluble product into a water-insoluble resinous mass as in U. S. No. 1,967,261, and the latter after washing may be brought into solution in organic solvents, as described in U. S. No. 1,762,456 (Re. 19,463) and in Re. 20,383. Urea-formaldehyde resins dium possess a minimum of tolerance for the inexpensive petroleum and naphtha solvents employed in the coatings industries. A more serious disadvantage lies in their relatively poor compatibility with the oil-modified glyceryl-phthalate ried out in an acidic medium with simultaneous talline product. such as dimethylol urea. Thismaterial is dried and ground and may be converted into a resinous material by warming in substantially anhydrous alcohols in the presence of acidic materials, in such a manner as disclosed Such processes require two stages, one of which involves drying and grinding of the intermediate condensation product, such as dimethylol urea. In additiomthe manufacor alkyd resins. As will be disclosed later, ureaformaldehyde resins made by my present invention are characterized by their extremely high compatibility with oil-modified alkyd types of resins. This property of my resins may be varied byuniquely controlling the variable factors that go .em the course of the reaction, such as time,

temperature, pH, solvents, concentration, nature of 'acidic catalyst employed, height of distilling column, and other factors.

Another process known to the prior art involves reaction between paraformaldehyde and urea in a non-aqueous medium and generally in an alcohol, such as for example as described in U. S. No. 1,633,337 and in No. 1,948,343. Such patents describe use of formaldehyde in, the solid para form to avoid water, such as paraformaldehyde. I have found that by using mixtures of commercial aqueous formalin and of dry or moist paraformaldehyde' together with an alcoholicsolvent capable of forming'a homogeneous system with the formalin and paraformaldehyde, a very rapid and complete reversion of the paraformaldehyde to formaldehyde occurs upon the addition of alkali. This gives the desired high proportion of formaldehyde to water. In addition, I have discovered that the nature of the alcohol governs the speed of. the reaction between the aqueous-alcoholic solution of formaldehyde and the added urea. Moreover, my process start-' ing with the initial ingredients alcohol, formalin and paraformaldehyde for a given quantity of urea is found to be more economical than the older processes in which the formaldehyde is entirely derived from a solid polymer, such as paraformaldehyde. At the same time, a urearesin is obtained by .the process of this invention and in an aqueous alcoholic mass, and the second being conducted in the presence of stronger acids in a much less aqueous mass, and in a highly alcoholic solution.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention at least 2 moles of formaldehyde to one mole of urea are brought into reaction in an aqueousalcoholic medium made alkaline, preferably with sodium hydroxide. The formaldehyde is furnished both by commercial aqueous formalin and by paraformaldehyde, which is available commercially as a fluffy powder with water and as wet pastes. I prefer in the practice of my invention to make up the required amount of formaldehyde from the following proportions: between 60% and 50% of the formaldehyde as commercial aqueous formalin and between 40% and 50% of the required formaldehyde as paraformaldehyde. Using commercial formalin (40% by volume or 37% by weight), I make the original mass for the reaction such that there is at least by weight 1 part of formaldehyde (CI-I20) for 1.2 parts of water.

An alcohol or other solvent is employed which is miscible with water and the other ingredients under the reaction conditions employed, such as an alcohol selected from the group consisting of methyl. ethyl, propyl. isopropyl, normal butyl, isobutyl, secondary butyl, and tertiary butyl alcohols. Ether alcohols. such as the mono-methyl or ethyl or butyl ethers of ethylene glycol (cellosolve type) may be used in this preliminary reaction stage, to function in a solvent capacity. The higher ether-alcohols. however, such as the mono-ethyl ether of diethylene glycol (carbitol type) function chemically in the process of resin formation but are undesirable if the resin is to -he used in combination with other materials containing petroleum solvents, due to the incompatibilit oi t e unreacted portions of these higher ether-alcohols with petroleum solvents. I have also been able to use as solvent the ethyl and methyl esters of the lower hydroxy fatty acids in this sta e. such as ethyl lactate or methyl-3-hydroxy butyrate.

The chief purposes of the solvent are: (a) to act as a solvent for the formaldehyde added in thk form of naraformaldehyde, and (b) to decrease aquosity oi t e reaction mixture. The reaction mixture must be a homogeneous single phase with the given proportions of solvent, formalin. formaldehyde. alkali, and urea. Of the solvents named above. I find that normal butanol is referred in practice.

The mixture of formalin; paraformaldehyde and alcohol after adding an amount of alkali. determined by the acidity of the formalin and of the paraformaldehyde is heated to 75 C. with stirring, in order to break up the paraformaldehyde. At '73-'75 C., the urea is added (at least one mol per 2 mols total CHzO) and the process is accompanied by a cooling effect, which, in turn, is followed by a strongly exothermic and rapid reaction so that the temperature may rise as high as 82-83? C. In practice, I find it preferable to cool the reaction mass to prevent the temperature rising about 83 C. In a few minutes the exothermic reaction is completed, but further reaction is necessary and the temperature. is brought to 65 C. in twenty minutes and maintained generally between'65-68 C. with stirring for an additional 3.5 to 4 hours. This period is called the reaction period. These details are not limitations but are presently given in order. to

indicate generally the character of the procedure.

I have found that the reaction period may be not longer than two hours if the temperature is on the high side and maintained around 76-80 0,. while the reaction period increases to 5 to 6 hours or longer if the temperature is on the low side and maintained between 5,7- -59 C. I prefer to operate between 65-68 C. for the given period of time, since higher temperatures occasionally are conducive to an advanced degree of polymerization and to undesirable reactions, while the lower temperatures and the accompanying longer reaction times are undesirable from the conveniently.

standpoint of economy. I have also found that the reaction period may be decreased to two hours or even less at 65-68 C. by increasing, the alkalinity of the reaction medium. The decomposia tion of parafor-maldehyde into monomeric formaldehyde is catalyzed by increased alkalinity; however, the increased concentration of hydroxyl ions promotes a much higher degree of polymerization between the urea and the formaldehyde than I flnd generally desirable. Therefore, I prefer to use a minimum of alkali to decompose the paraform-aldehyde.

At the end of the reaction time, according to my invention, I add a solvent alcohol A, preferably n-butanol and a weak acid catalyst. Thereupon, distilling and stirring are begun and the temperature is raised to 94 C. (or higher) at The term weak acid as used in the present invention is confined to acids which have a dissociation constant in the range from 0.000214 to 0.14, said limit being represented respectively by formic acid and'pyrophosphoric acid. Both "of these are operable.

Formic acid is barely operable, and no acids weaker than formic have been found operable, such as acetic and butyric acids. Acids having a dissociation constant higher than pyrophosphoric acid, when used in hydrogen equivalent proportions to the operable acids, produce premature gellation of the aqueous alcoholic reaction mixture. Many acids in the given-range have been employed, and may be V classed into three groups-(1) operable, (2) inoperable, and (3) operable but undesirable. Operable acids in group (1) may be organic or in-v organic, monobasic or polybasic, such as formic, phthalic, citric, phosphorus, phosphoric, pyrophosphoric, malic, citric, tartaric, oxalic, maleic, and salicylic. In group 3, the following acids are undesirable because of producing oxidation, or of toxicity, or because of color formation or thermal decomposition: iodic, periodic, salicylic (color-forming) arsenic, arsenious, and picric. Deletions and additions to this list may. obviously be made on the basis of circumstantial desirabil- -will probably be replaced in the chemical union by the higher boiling alcohol B through a process of radical interchange, and the previously combined alcohol A will be distilled. off. Whether ity. A red color from use of salicylic acid may be 6 or not this is so, alcohol remains combined.

desirable in some cases. Inoperable acids in group 2 are those which have an anion-forming portion of the molecule which hydrolyzes in the reaction to produce as a hydrolytic product a new acid having a dissociation constant above 0.14. Such acids are bromacetic, chloracetic, dibromacetic and dichloracetic.

As a result, the weak'acid must be one which in the course of the reaction permits the condensation to occur in the presence of oneor more acids, each having a dissociation constant not greater than 0.14 with at leastone acid in the said range. In other words, hydrolysis or seeondary dissociation of an acid having a measurable dissociation constant in a given range, may occur, so long as a product thereof does not have a dissociation constant greater than 0.14.

The term strong acidic catalyst as" used in the present invention includes known acidic catalysts cation is described by Hammett, Physical Organic Chemistry, (1940) page 261. Some of the classified compounds are undesirable such as hydroiodic acid, on account of oxidation, iron chloride on account of color, and perchloric acid on account of oxidation and explosive hazard. The strong acids, when used in hydrogen-equivalent amounts for the weak acid, in the first stage of acid condensation, produce gelling, and hence their use is avoided in said stage in order to avoid the gelling. It is the combination of strong acidity and aquosity in the first acid stage which effects gelling. In the second. acid stage the aquosity is greatly reduced, and hence the danger of gelling does not exist with the effective amount of the stronger acidic catalyst.

The alcohol A that is added should have a boiling point over 100 C., so that during distillation the reaction mixture will be continually dehydrated. An additional requirement of alcohol A is that it be capable of forming a homogeneous system with the acidified reaction mixture at the temperature at which distillation begins, when used in the necessary proportions. I prefer to operate with n-butanol, and the amount present should be a sufficient quantity to reduce the aquosity of the resin-reacting mixture arising from the water in the ingredients. employed to not over 20% by weight of the total content. The quantity of alcohol added (at 94- C, or higher) for practical operations, which may be either more of alcohol A. such as n-butano l, or the higher boiling alcohol B, has been found to be at least equal to 20% of the amount of alcohol A first added. I have found that in the cases in which higher alcohols are added here, they may be added in amounts as high as 40% of the weight of the first batch of alcohol A. The residue of the lower boiling alcohol A may then be distilled from the reaction mixture. Where alcohol B is used any of the lower boiling alcohol A that ha chemically united with the urea resin The alkali used is a factor entering intothe determination of amounts of other materials used. Commercial aqueous formalin has variable amounts of formic acid. To avoid any adverse 10 effect from such acid, I prefer to standardize the formalin. Then I use a minimum additional amount of the same alkali necessary to efi'ect the decomposition of the paraformaldehyde for the temperature I prefer to employ. This may be determined and plotted for any set' of conditions.

In the examples given later, these amounts are illustrated. The total alkali employed for these two functions is recorded to serve as a basis for determining the amount of weak. acid catalyst to 'be added. The more formic acid present, the. 5 more the. sodium formate, and hence the greater the buffering action of the sodium formate. Consequently, proportionately greater quantities of the second amount of alkali and of the weak acid catalyst are required'to attain the same degree of reaction as when less formic acid is initially present. It is possible arbitrarily to elevate the acidity of the aqueous formalin to a fixed degree by adding formic acid (see Example 9).

After the initial reaction period 'under alkaline conditions, which forms a preliminary condensation product, I use a weak acid catalyst as the first acid catalyst in order to continue the condensation under acid conditions, and to initiate 40 the reaction between the resulting product and alcohol. Choice of catalyst is one control over viscosity of resin. The amount of weak acid catalyst required is determined more or less empirically by the effect produced when distillation begins (90 to 93 C. where solvent is tertiary bu- .tanol). At this point the controlling effect is substantial homogeneity. Too weak a catalyst fails to advance the condensation to a suitable degree, indicated by cloudiness. Too strong a catalyst advances the condensation to produce an insoluble gel before attaining the point where homogeneity is desired. If more alkali is used in hypothetical case A than in hypothetical case B, the conditions otherwise being the same, it is necessary to add more-weak acid catalyst in-case A than in case B.

I have discovered that the addition of a strong acidic catalyst to the reaction mixture at 94 C. or above'when the concentration of water in the reactionmixture has been greatly reduced,

to give the resin the desired high degree of compatability with oil-modified alkyd resins. The

presence of too much acid is easily ascertained,

because it produces a gel which is an undesired insoluble product. Where such excess is encountered, the amount must be empirically reduced to avoid the gel. If too greatly reduced, the desired compatability is reduced. The strong acid, particularly hydrochloric acid, is a well known catalyst for the reaction between aldehyde or 7 ketone groups, with alcohols to form acetals.

-The initial condensation product of urea and formaldehyde presents activity in'acetal formation acting as if it contained free aldehyde groups. During the alkaline stage of this reaction, the

' first reaction consists of a condensation between urea and formaldehyde leading to a dimethylol urea. Under the conditions of temperature, concentration of reactants, alkalinity, and reaction time which I employ in my invention, however,

I the reaction does not stop with dimethylol urea but proceeds to more complex products. The structures of the latter are somewhat obscure and it is generally accepted that they are condensation products of dimethylol urea, itself. They are completely soluble in the reaction medium and at the end of the reaction period of 3 to 4 hours at 65 to 68 C. the reaction mixture is entirely clear, water-white and homogeneous.

Upon the addition of alcohol A at this point, such as n-butanol, followed by the first and weak acid catalyst, the aquosity of the reaction mixture is low, for example about 13%. Adding said acid catalyst destroys the clarity. Upon heat ing, the reaction mass again becomes clear and water-white, indicating that the water-soluble products of the alkaline condensation have been transformed into a condensation product which ,is somewhat hydrophobic. This is evidenced by the fact that adding water to the mass causes it to precipitate, but adding alcohol does not affect it. Since methylol groups, which are present in the hydrophobic resin, are constitutionally effective as aldehyde groups, it is my opinion that the strong acid, such as hydrochloric acid, catalyses prior-art urea-formaldehyde resins exhibit a.

limited degree of compatibility with oil-modified glyceryl phthalate resins (alkyd resins) made with the theoretically required amount of glycerine. However, these prior urea resins become more and more compatible as the amount of glycerine increases. 'By. increasing the excess glycerine in the oil=modified giyceryl phthalate resin up to 30%, or in other words, by increasing the' number of free hydroxyl'groups, the structural similarity to the unreacted methylol groups in prior art urea formaldehyde resins becomes much greater and therefore, greater compatibility results. However, the use of excess glycerine (or other polyhydric alcohol) in the oilmodified alkyd resins possesses the disadvantages of conferring decreased water resistance to the resin, and of being uneconomical.

I have discovered that the treatment of the resin solution with the strong acid, such as hydrochloric acid, during the reaction and at a time when most of the water has been removed, leads to a final urea-formaldehyde resin possessing great compatibility with oil-modified glyceryl phthalate resins made with the theoretically required amount of glycerine. This indicates that my urea resins possess a minimum of free methylol. groups; presumably. they have condensed with the alcoholic solvent. This is further supported by the fact that it is impossible to remy invention exhibit much higher tolerance for hydrocarbon solvents than do the prior art resins. An important advantage of the processes of this invention resides in the fact that resin solutions of widely diflering viscosities' are easily manufactured from reaction mixtures having the same initial composition by altering the height of the distilling column on the reaction vessel. I have discovered that as the column is shortened. the viscosities of the final resin solutions become greater, whereas lengthening of the column produces final resin solutions which are less viscous. I have found that distillation from the shorter column produces a smaller ratio of water to normal-butanol, in the distillate than does distillation from a long column. I have also found that a higher distillation column minimizes escape of formaldehyde, giving more of it in the resulting resin, following the rule that increased formaldehyde contentgives lower viscosity. In

other words, at any point in the process, there will be a greater amount of water in the reaction vessel equipped with the short column than in the one having the long column. The length of tube may control the aquosity during distillation. Consequently, upon the addition of the strong acidic catalyst, such as hydrochloric acid, the excess of water inhibits etherification between alcohol and methylol groups to some extent, and

makes possible interaction between methylol groups themselves. This leads to cross-linking and higher viscosity, which is desirable in some types of resins for coating compositions. I have found also that for a given height of distillation column and for a given proportion of reactants, the viscosity of the final resin solutions can be varied by varying the quantity of paraformaldehyde. Generally, the greater the amount of paraformaldehyde, the lower will be the viscosity of the resin solution.

The invention is illustrated by numerous examples, inwhich the parts" given are parts by weight.

Example 1 first falling to 57 0. due to the strong cooling eifect: The temperature is held between 65 to 68 C. for 4 hours from the time of addition of the urea. During this period the reaction mixture is stirred and maintained under reflux.

At the end of four hours, 2000 parts of n-butanol are added, followed by 2.4 parts of the dihydrate of oxalic acid. Heating and distillation are begun and. continued until the temperature is C. Hereupon, 400 parts of n-butanol and 6.7 parts of 4.9% HCl solution in n-butanol (made by diluting 1 volume of 28% aqueous hydrochloric acid solution with 10 volumes of n-butanol), are added to the reaction vessel, and heating and distillation with stirring resumed. When the temperature reaches 125.5 C. heating is discontinued and 505 parts of -mixed xylenes are run in. 2125 parts of colorless resin solution are obtained which may be filtered to remove suspended foreignmatter. The solution contains approximately 50% resin solids'and possesses a viscosity of U (Gardner-Holdt) Paint and Varnish Maker's standard.

Example 2 The identical reaction described in Example 1 (which was carried out in a flask with no distilling head) is carried out in the same -liter. flask equipped with a plain-glass, 9-inch distill-' ing head. The final 50% solution has a viscosity of R (Gardner-Holdt). By merely lengthening the column, the same reaction gives a product having a viscosity of G.

Example 3 The pH of 833 parts of formalin (40% by voltion is completed (about minutes), the reaction mixture is brought to 68 C. and held for 3% hours.

2000 parts of n-butanol and 2.4 parts of the dihydrate of oxalic acid are added and heating and distillation carried on until the temperature of the reaction mass is 100.5 C. 400 parts of n-butanol and 8.35 parts of the said 4.9% H01 in n-butanol are added, and heating and distillation resumed. When the temperature reaches 123.3 C. the heating is discontinued and 415 parts of commercial xylenes are added. The mixture may be filtered hot. 2090 parts of a solution containing 50% *-1% resin are secured. It possesses a' viscosity of V (Gardner-Holdt) Example 4 833 parts of formalin adjusted to a pH'of 8.35, 222 parts of 95% paraformaldehyde, 500 parts of tertiary butanol, 3.82 parts of 9.52% NaOH, and the 485 urea are brought into reactionas disclosed in Example 1. After the alkaline reaction period is concluded, 2000 parts of n-butanol and 2.3 parts of the dihydrate of oxalic acid are added and distillation carried on until the temperature of the reaction mass is 99 C.

- At this point, I add 700 parts of 2-ethyl-hexy1 alcohol and 6.7 parts of 4.9% RC1 in n-butanol. I

Distillation is resumed and carried on until the temperature of the reaction mixture is 139 0.

Heating is discontinued and 288 parts additional of 2-ethyl-hexan'ol are added. 2275 parts of product are obtained, which contains approximately 50% resin. The solution has a viscosity of U to V (Gardner-Holdt).

Example 5 833 parts of formalin (40% by .volume) are adjusted to a pH of 8.25 and 222 parts of 95% paraformaldehyde, 500 parts of the butyl ether of ethylene glycol (butyl cellosolve), and 4.10 parts of 9.52% NaOH are added. The mixture is heated to 744 C. and 485 parts of urea are added.

After the exothermic reaction has subsided minutes), the reaction mass is stirred and maintained between 65 to 68 C. for 4 hours. Thereupon are added 1800 parts ofn-butanol and 2.6 parts of the dihydrate of oxalic acid. Distillation is begun andcarried on until the temperature of the reaction mass is 110 0., when 1545 parts of distillate'h'ave been secured. 200 parts of butyl cellosolve and 7.52 parts of 4.9% HCl in'n-butanol are added and distillation re- 222 parts of 95% paraformaldehyde,

. solution possesses a viscosity of Z (Gardner- Holdt).

Example 6 833 parts of commercial formalin are adjusted to a pH of 8.25 with NaOH. 222 parts of 95% paraformaldehyde, 500 parts ofitertiary butanol,

' and 5.46 parts of 9.52% NaOH solution are added and the mixture heated to 71 C. 485 parts of urea are added and after the usual exothermic reaction has abated, the reaction mixture is held 2 hours at 65-68 C. j

2000 parts of n butanol and 2.6 parts of the dihydrate of oxalic acid are added, and distillation carried on until the temperature of the mass is 98.3 C. 400 parts of n-butanol and 6.7 parts of 4.9% H01 in n-butanol are added, and distillation continued until the temperature is 124.4 C. 460 parts of commercial xylenes are added, and the solution may be filtered. It contains 50% resin and ner-Holdt).

Example 7 833 parts of formalin (40% by volume) are I adjusted to a pH of 8.25 with NaOH solution.

222 parts of 95% paraformaldehyde, 500 parts of tertiary butanol, and 4.15 parts of 9.52% NaOH solution are added. The mixture is heated to 745 C., 485 parts of urea are added and after the usual exothermic reaction is concluded, the mass is maintained between 65-68 C. for 3.5 hours. i

- 2000 parts of n-butanol and 3.8 parts'of phosphoric acid are added, and distillation carried on until the temperature of the mass is 99 C. 400 parts of n-butanol and 4.18 parts of 4.9% H01 in n-butanol are added and distillation continued until the temperature is 123.3 C. 390 parts of commercial xylenes are added and the mixture filtered. 2050 parts of a solution containing 50% resin are obtained. It has a viscosity of U-V (Gardner-Holdt).

Example 8 The process described in Example 1 is carried 7' out identically, with the exception that the 4.9%

H01 in n-butanol is omitted from the reaction. 1

2125 parts of resin solution are obtained, containing 50% resin. The solution has a viscosity of T-U.

This resin does not have as much tolerance for petroleum solvents as the resinproduced by Example 1. Neither does it have quite as much compatibility with oil-modified glyceryl phthalates. These facts indicate conclusively that the addition of a second catalyst during the process of resin formation leads to a highly desirable product for coating purposes, without adversely affecting the viscosity or the stability.

I Example 9 mixture warmed to 74 C. 485 parts of urea are has a viscosity of S. (Gardadded and after the exothermic reaction is com I tion. 224' parts of 95%" paraformaldehyde. 40o parts of n-butanol, and 3.82 parts of 9.52% NaOH solution are added, followed by warming and reaches 99 C. 400 parts of n-butanol and 9.2

Example I 833 parts by weight of formalin b volume) are adjusted to a pH of 8.25 with NaOH.

260 parts of 95% paraformaldehyde, 500 parts of tertiagybutanoland 4.75 parts of 9.52% NaOH solution are added and the mixture warmed .with stirring to 72 C. 485 parts of urea are added and after the exothermic reaction has moderated the temperature is maintained between 72 to 74 C. for an additional 3 hours.

.2000 parts of n-butanol and 2.55 parts of oxalic acid dihydrate are added and distillation carried on until the temperature of the reaction mass is 99 C. 400 parts of n-butanol and 6.5 parts of 4.9% HCl inn-butanol are added and distillation is resumed. When the temperature reaches 124.5 C., heating is discontinued and 450 parts of commercial xylenes are added. 2175 parts of a. solution containing resin are secure. It has a body of H-I (Gardner-Holdt). This example increases the eiiective quantity of formaldehyde over the previous examples.

Example 11 by volume) is adjusted to 8.25 with NaOH solution. 330 parts of 95% paraformaldehyde, 650 parts of, tertiary butanol, and 6.11 parts of 9.52% NaOH solution are added and the mixture heated with stirring to 74- C. 485 parts of urea are added and, after the usual exothermic reaction has moderated, the temperature is maintained between 66 C.- and 69 C. for an additional 3.5 hours.

1900 parts of n-butanol and 2.9 parts of the dihydrate: of oxalic acid are added and heating and'distillation begun. When the temperature reaches 99 C., 400 parts additional of n-butanol are added together with 6.7 parts of 4.9% alcoholic HCl solution. Distillation is resumed and carried on until the temperature of the reaction mass is 129 C. The heating is discontinued and 585 parts of commercial mixed xylenes are Example 12 I The pH of 833 parts of aqueous formalin (40% stirring to 74 C., 485 parts of urea are added and after the exothermic reaction has subsided, the reaction mass is held between 71 and 73 C. for 3.5 hours. l

1500 parts of 'n-butanol and 2.1 parts of the dihydrate of oxalic acid are added, and distillation commenced. When the temperature reaches 98 C., 500 parts more of n-butanol and 4.2 parts of 4.9% alcoholic 1101 are added and distillation resumed. Heating is stopped when the temperature of the reaction mass reaches 122 C., and 460 parts of commercial mixed xylenes are added. Upon filtering and cooling, 2130 parts of resin solution are obtained, containing approximately 50% resin. The solution has 'a viscosity of- S-T (Gardner-Holdt). This is' the preferred procedure exemplifying the use of n-butanol throughout. When the oxalic acid is substituted by 4.8 parts 01 phthalic acid, the resulting resin has a viscosity of H (Gardner-Holdt).

Example 1 4 dihydrate of oxalic acid are added and distillation then begun. When the temperature of the reaction mass reaches 94.5 C. 800 parts additional ofisobutanol and 4.18 parts of 4.9% alcoholic HCl are added and distillation continued. Heating is stopped when the temperature of the mass reaches 110 C., and 400 parts of mixed xylenes are run in. 2210 parts of resin solution are obtained, which has a viscosity of T (Gardner-Holdt).

: Example 15 833 parts of aqueous formalin (40% by volume) are adjusted to a pH of 8.20 with NaOH solution. 354 parts of an aqueous paste of paraformalde-, hyde (35% water content), 400 parts of tertiary butanol and 4.15 parts of 9.52% NaOH solution are added and the mixture heated with agitation to 74 C. 485 parts of urea are added, and after the attendant exothermic reaction has subsided, the temperature is held between 67 and 69 C. for 3.5 hours. I,

2000 parts of n-butanol and 2.25 parts of the dihydrate of oxalic acid are added and heating and distillation begun. When the temperature of thereaction mixture is 99 C., 400 parts of run into the hot mass, which may then be filtered.

833 parts of aqueous formalin (40 by volume) are adjusted to a pH of 825with NaOH solun-butanol and 6.25 parts of 4.9% alcoholic HCl are added and distillation continued until the temperature of the reaction mass is 123 C. Heating is stopped and 465 parts of mixed xylenes added. 2145 parts of product are obtained, containing 50% resin and having a viscosity of Q.

' Example 16 625 parts of aqueous formalin (40% by volume) are adjusted to a pH of 8.25 with NaOH solution. 168 parts of paraformaldehyde, 300 parts of n-b'utanoL'and 2.86 parts of 9.52% NaOH solution are added, followed by stirring while warming to 74 G. Then 364 parts of urea are none is added, the hold-over of the weak acid added and after the exothermic reaction has catalyst being employed. subsided, the reaction mass is held at 71 C. for 8.5 hours.

1125 parts of n-butanol and 5.6 parts of citric acid are added and distillation is commenced. When the temperature reaches 100 C., 450 parts of n-butanol and 4.6 parts of alcoholic HCl of 4.9% strength are added and distillation resumed. When the reaction mass has attained 1o. 127 C., the heating is stopped and 405 parts of Second catalyst Example {1.9, 10; 12-16, ill-21,23. 1i. i

commercial mixed xylenes are added. Upon fll- The resins made by the above examples are il- 7 tering and cooling, 1645 parts of resin solution lustrative of the products that may be secured are. obtained, containing 50% resin. The soluby my invention, but I do not wish my invention tion has a viscosity of M (Gardner-Holdt); 15 to be limited to the examples given.

These resins find many useful applicationsv in Examples 17 to 23 coating compositions, especially when used in In modifications of Example 16, changes have composition with oil-modified glyceryl phthalbeen made, which with the results, are shown in ates. An example of such an oil-modified glycthe following table: eryl phthalate is the following: 384 parts of 98% Weight Viscosity Weak acid Parts by Parts by Final parts yield Example catalyst weight Strong acid catalyst weight temp so 31?: mg?

. ea. 3.0 35% aqueous p-toluene 3.2 127.7 E-E 1,778 (87%) sulionic acid.

4.7 0.2 133 0 1,628 3 4.6 131 6 I 1,825 3. 65 4. 6 127. 2 R-S 1, 710 l. 8 d 4. 6 123 N-O l, 622 Phosphorus 1. l5 Chloracetyl chloride 0. 16 124 T l, 584 Pyrophosphorid. 2. 0 4.9% alcoholic H01 4. 6 125 V l, 695

Other acids have been attempted in Example 16 glycerine and 700 parts of phthalic anhydride are for the weak acid. When 1.5 parts of glacial 35 heated to 205 C. in 25 minutes. When this point acetic acid was used for the citric acid, incomis reached, slowly add 800 parts of sunflower seed plete resinification resulted. The final hot refatty acids and continue heating at 205 C. under action mixture was clear after filtering, but bean inert atmospherefor 15 minutes. The temcame cloudy and opaque on cooling, depositing a perature is raised to 260 C. and heldat this slimy white precipitate. The same was true, 40 point-for 15 to 30 minutes, whereupon blowing using 10.4 parts of butyric acid. When 8.35 parts with inert gas is efl'ected for 30 minutes at the of 4.9% alcoholic HCl was used for the citric acid, same temperature. The blowing is continued at the reaction mixture gelled. 205 C. until the acid value has dropped below Attempts to use 3.5 and 2.5 parts, respectively, eight. (See discussion of acid value immediately of paraand meta-nitrobenzoic acid, for the citric following.) The resin is thinned with high sol-' acid of Example 16, permitted carrying out the vent naphtha and .xylene to solids. The procedure, but gave opaque cold products, du to above resin is an oil-modified alkyd resin, and it incomplete resinification. These acids, and will be ,observed that the oil-modifier consists of others giving the opaque product, have too low I the unmodified molecules of sunflower seed fatty dissociation constants. 50 acids. Prior art urea resins are not readily com- The following table summarizes examples, P t b e wi is pe of O fi alkyd resin. showing the various weak acids, their dissociabut where the oil-modifier is more highly hytion constants; the viscosity of the final 50% resin droxylated, there is a ready compatibility. It is solution in xylenes; and an estimate of their relacharacteristic of the resins of this invention that tive workability in the invention. It is to be r they are more highly compatible with the oilnoted that in general, as the acid strength rises, modified alkyd resins n et e prior t ea the operability improves, and the viscosity rises in resins. Thus, use of them in conjunction with the scale. available oil-modified alkyd resins permits economy in providing the latter, rather than the Dissocia Viscosity Estimated specially hydroxylated type, so hydroxylated for Example Weak acid tion 0mm, resin character greater compatibility.

constant solution of example Acid value 53%.. Unity in. acid .value or acid number of a resin gfg 6 means that. 1 gram of resin requires 1 milligram D0. of potassium hydroxide to neutralize it. The B3: acidity of a resin which may be hardened is Excellent. pertinent to its commercial utility. 8: It will be observed that the above alkyd resin D0. contains only the theoreticallyrequired amount Phosphorus".-. 0.05 T D0, of glycerine. Urea-formaldehyde resins known 23; Pymphosphoric- 0-14: v U, to the prior art are .not readily compatible with oil-modified alkyd resins of this type, and poor The following table shows variations in the seccompatibility adversely afiects ev 88 and the end catalyst, it being observed that in somecases, hardness of theenamels in which the combinamixture.

clear hard film upon baking for one hour at 12'0 C. By incorporating. pigments, such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, enamels are secured which are characterized by high gloss,

hardness, and remarkable resistance to water and alkalies.

When the above described oil-modified alkyd resin isv applied alone to a surface, an hour bake at 120 C. gives a very soft film which is readily attacked by alkalies. Moreover, the film has poor light resistance and inferior resistance to water and grease.

The urea resinsproduced by my invention are capable of being used with a wide variety of alkyd resins, not being limitedto the alkyd resin above described, and accordingly are adaptable to a large number of coating purposes. They lead to fine enamels for metal surfaces, such as in toys, washing machines, refrigerators, and automobile bodies. Moreover, I have foimd that by incorporating suitable catalysts, the combination of oil-modified glyceryl phthalate resin and the urea resin, say of Example 1, can be made to bake hard at temperatures lower than 120 C. For example, 100 parts by weight of the 50% urea-resin solution of Example 1 are blended in the cold with 100 parts by weight of the above described oil-modified glyceryl phthalate. To this mixture, 1 add 0.30 part by. weight of gammabromo-gamma-phenyl butyric acid and stir until completely dissolved. When this solutionis applied to any surface, including wood, say of a cabinet, it bakes completely hard and tack-free in one hour at 175 F. This is the upper temperature limit for baking compositions onto wood. The film has considerable resistance to water, alkali, grease, and to marring. -Moreover, when the same solution is applied to a metallic orother surface and allowed to dry in contact with the air, it slowly hardens in the course of several hours, making baking unnecessary. This hardening continues with age.

An important advantage of, my invention lies in the fact that it is easy to make resins either of low viscosities or of high viscosities either 'by controlling the length of column in the reaction apparatus, or by controlling formaldehyde content. Those familiar with the coating compositions are aware that for difierent'purposes resins of differing viscosities are required. For example, an enamel for refrigerators should contain a high percentage of solids and this demands a resin of low viscosity. An enamel for coating-toys, for example, requires a low percentage of solid material and a resin of highlies in the fact that it offers many economies in time, in apparatus, and in materials. I have found that a completecycle can be easily attainedin not more than seven hours. This contrasts very favorably with processes known to the prior art for making urea-resins, which require as much as'48 hours, or longer, for a complete cycle. Moreover, I find that my process can readily be carried out in a single piece of apparatus, such as a still equipped with an efficient agitator. Generally, I prefer to use glass-lined equipment although I can use copper or stain- .less steel or nickel-lined reaction vessels. I find use of aqueous formalin; I prefer to do this by use of paraformaldehyde in a form having a formaldehyde equivalent over 40% by weight, and to decompose it into formaldehyde by suitable means, using preferably the same alkali which I require later for catalysis. It is therefore obvious that the proportion of aqueous formalin to paraformaldehyde may vary according to other factors, in order to secure the suitable aquosity for the result. Paraformaldelwde does not enter into the reaction, and it is only a less aqueous source of formaldehyde than is aqueous formalin.- Hence it is obvious that I may use other less aqueous sources, such as gaseous formaldehyde, or alcoholic formalin solutions. The essential requirement ultimately to be met is the preparation of a reaction mass of reacting proportions of urea and formaldehyde for'an alkaline catadue to a small amount of water and large amount of water-miscible diluent. The diluent may be an alcohol which in a later stage of the reactionin the presence of an acid catalyst, becomes a reactant with the alkaline-catalyzed condensation product of urea and formaldehyde. The actual amount of water is not greater than of the actual amount of formaldehyde, and the amount of non-aqueous diluent is sufficient to give homogeneity before reaction begins. In the examples given the aquosity by weight, arising from water in the ingredients employed, is less than 20% at beginning of distillation. Although I prefer to carry out the addition'of alcohol or alcohol and solvent in two stages, it is to hemderstood that it may be added by any convenient procedure which preserves homogeneous solution and permits removal of substantially all the water during the distillation. This has been accomplished by dropping alcohol slowly into the still during distillation.

The foregoing description and explanation of the invention are not to be considered as limiting it to the examples given. Numerous modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art, and are contemplated as falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

assasoo This application is continuation-in-part or an aqueous solvent mixture comprising water and a volatile organic solvent. said solvent mixture producing a solvent for the initial ingredients and for the condensation product at the end or the reaction, said reaction mass havlng'initially at 1 least 1 part-by weight formaldehyde to 1.2 Darts byweight of water, and a non-aqueous solvent component miscible with water, said ref in in the presence, of an alkaline catalyst at least 2 moles of formaldehyde and 1 mole of urea in action being carried out at a temperature from 57 C. to 80 C. for a period from 2 to 6 hours to form a homogeneousreaction solution containing a condensation product, the longer time correspending to the lower temperature; reducing the aquosity arising from water in the ingredients employed to not more than 20% by weight by adding to the mass an acid catalyst and asolvent alcohol miscible with the reaction mass when beginning the next step and boiling over 100 C., said acid catalyst being an acid having a dissociation constant in the range from 0.000214 to 0.14 and being one which has an anion-forming portion of its molecule non-hydro'lyzable to form an acid having a dissociation constant greater than 0.14, whereby the aqueous mass is non-gelling in the progress of the acid catalyzed condensation; distilling the mass to remove water whereby an acid catalyzed condensation occurs producing a homogeneous reaction mass, whereby as distillation is continued volatile matter including water is driven ofl, condensation is continued, and the reactant mass forms a homogeneous syrup; then when the reaction mass is a syrup at a temperature of at least 94 C. adding a strong acidic catalyst of a character so much stronger than the' said weak acid that if used in place of said weak acid catalyst it will produce gelling of the mass, and continuing the distillation to remove residual water and excess'alcohol to attain at a temperature well over 100 C. a substantially water-free syrup which is capable of dilution with a solvent to form a resin solution when cold., 2. The method of making a urea-formaldehyde condensation product which comprises condensing in the presence of an alkaline catalyst at least 2 moles of formaldehyde and ;1 mole of urea in an aqueous solvent mixture comprising water and a volatile organic solvent, said solvent mixture producing a solvent for the initial ingredients and for the condensation product at the end of the reaction, said reaction mass having initially at least 1 part by weight offormaldehyde to 1.2 parts by weight of water, and a non-aqueous solvent component miscible with water, saidreaction being carried out at a temperature from 57 C'. to 80 C. for a period from 2 to 6 hours to form a homogeneous reaction solution containing a condensation product, the longer time corresponding to the lower temperature; reducing the drolyzable'to form an acid having a dissociation constant greater than 0.14. whereby the mass becomes homogeneous without gelling; continuing said distillation until the mass become a syrup at a temperature of at least 94 C.; then continuing the distillation in the presence of strong acidic catalyst of such character that it used, in

place of said weak acid catalyst it will produce gelling in'the mass; and continuing said distillation to a temperature of themes well over 100- C. to remove residual water and excess alcohol and to-provide a substantially water-free homogeneous syrup capable of dilution with a solvent to form a resin solution when cold.

3. The process of claim 1 in which for the acid condensation the alcohol is provided intwo installments, one being added before the distillation and being of lower boiling point than the second. and the seco d being added during the distillation and being of higher boiling point than the first, whereby the second one preferentially enters the condensation product permitting distilla- -tion away of at least a part of the first.

4. The process of claim 2 in which for the acid condensation the alcohol is provided in two in-' stallments, one being addedbefore the distillation and being of lower boiling point than the second, and the second being added during the tillation away of at least a part of the first.

aquosity arising from water in the ingredients employed to not more than 20% by weight by .adding to the mass a solvent alcohol boiling at over 100 C. and miscible with the reaction mass 5. The method of making a urea-fo'rmalde hyde condensation product which comprises con.- densing in the presence-of an alkaline catalyst at least 2.m0les of formaldehyde and 1 m'oleof urea in an aqueous solvent mixture comprising water and a butanol, said solvent mixture producing a solvent for the initial ingredients and for the condensation product at the end of the reaction,

said reaction mass .having initially at least 1' part by weight of formaldehyde to 1.2 parts by weight of water, said reaction being carried out at a temperature from 57 C. to C. for a period from 2 to 6 hours to form a homogeneous reaction solu-v tion containing a condensation product, the

longer tim corresponding to the lower temperature; reducing the aquosity arising from water in the ingredients employed to not over 20% by weight by ad i to the mass n-butanol; heating and distilling the-massin the presence ofweak acid catalyst having'a dissociation constant in I the range from 0.000214 to 0.14 and being one which has an anion-forming portionof its molecule non-hydrolyzable to form an acid having a.

dissociation constant greater than 0.14, whereby th massbecomes homogeneous without gelling; continuing said distillation until the mass becomes a syrup at a temperature of at least 94 C.; then continuing the dlstillation in the presence of strong acidic catalyst of such character that if used in place of said weak acid catalyst it will produce gelling in the mass; and continuing said distillation to a temperature of the mass well over C. to remove residual water and excess alcohol and to provide a substantially water-free homogeneous syrup capable of dilution with a solvent to form a resin solution when cold.

6. The process of claim 5 in which forthe acid condensation n-butanol is provided in two installments, one being added before the distillation, and the second being addeddurin the distillation.

'7. The process of claim 5 in which the reaction in the presence or the stro s acidic catalyst is carried out in the presence or additional solvent alcohol or boiling point not lower than that of the said n-butanol.

8. The process 01' claim 5 in which the reaction in the presence of the stronger acidic catalyst is carried out in the presence of additional solvent alcohol or boiling point higher than that of the said n-butanol.

9. The method of making a urea-formaldehyde condensation product which comprises condensing in the presence of an alkaline catalyst at least 2 moles of formaldehyde and 1 mole of urea in an aqueous solvent mixture comprising water and a volatile organic solvent, said solvent mixture producing a solvent for the initial ingredients and for the condensation product 'at the end of the reaction, said reaction mass having initially at least 1 part by weight of formaldehyde to 1.2 parts by weight of water, and a non-aqueous sol-- vent component miscible with water, said reaction being carried out at a temperature from 57 C. to 80 C. for a period from 2 to 6 hours to form a homogeneous reaction solution containing a condensation product, the longer time corresponding to the lower temperature; reducing the aquosity arising from water in the ingredients employed to by weight by adding to the mass n-butanol; heating and distilling the mass in the presence or a weak acid catalyst having a dissociation constant in the range from 0.000214 to 0.14 and being one which has an anion-forming portion of its molecule non-hydrolyzable to form an acid-having a. dissociation constant greater than 0.14, whereby the mass becomes homogeneous without gelling; continuing said distillation until the mass becomes a syrup at a temperature of at least 94 C.; then continuing the distillation in the presence of strong acidic catalyst 01' such character that if used in place of said weak acid catalyst it will produce gelling in the mass; and

' continuing said distillation to a temperature 0! the mass well over 100 C. to remove residual water and excess alcohol and to provide a substantially water-freehomogeneous syrup capable of dilution with a solvent to form a resin solution when cold.

10. The process of claim 9 in which the reaction in the presence of stronger acidic catalyst is carried ,out in the presence of additional solvent alcohol of boiling point not lower than that of the said n'-butanol.-

11. The process of claim 9 in which the reaction in the presence of stronger acidic catalyst is carried out in the presence of additional solvent alcohol of boiling point higher than that of the said n-butanol.

12. Theprocess oi claim 9 in which the stronger acidic catalyst is hydrochloric acid.

13. The method oi! producing urea-formaldehyde condensation product which comprises condensing one mole of urea and at least 2.moles of torinaldehyde in the presence or an alkaline catalyst and in the presence or a solvent mixture containing water in amount not greater than 1.2 parts to 1 part of formaldehyde at a temperature from 5'1, C. to C. for a period-o1 time from 2 to 6 hours, the longer time co esponding to the lower temperature, whereby to form a homogeneous solution 01' a reaction product, continuing the condensation in an aqueous alcoholic solution having alcohol boiling at over C. and having an aquosity arising from water in the ingredients employed or not more than 20% by weightfwhile' distilling water from the mass to attain a temper:- ature of at least 94 C. in the presence of acid catalyst having a dissociation constant in the range from 0.000214 to 0.14 and being one which has an anion-forming portion oi its molecule non-hydrolyzable to form an acid having a dissociation constant greater than 0.14, whereby to advance the condensation with avoidance of Kelling of the aqueous mass; and continuing the distillation at a temperature over 100 C. in the presence of an acid catalyst having a dissociation constance greater than 0.14 and in the presence of solvent alcohol boiling at over 100 0., whereby to'form substantially a water-free homogeneoussyrup which is capable of dilution with a solvent s to form a resin solution when cold.

14. In the process of furthering the; condensation of the alkali-catalyzed reaction product of one mole of urea and at least 2 moles of formaldehyde, the steps which comprise reacting the product in the presence of weak acid catalyst having a dissociation constant in the range from 0.000214 to 0.14 and being one which has an anion-forming portion of its molecule non-hydrolyzable to form an acid having a dissociation constant greater than 0.14, in an aqueous alcoholic solvent having alcohol boiling over 100 C. and having an aquosity arising from water in'the ingredients PLINY O. TAWNEY gell- 

